Author's Note:

Sorry it has been a few months. The truth is I have had this chapter half written but kept going back and forth with the ending to this chapter. I am still not entirely satisfied but that may be the perfectionist in me. Plus working 6 day weeks and some overnight shifts at the resort have been leaving me drained and not feeling creative. I promise to finish the story. I will not abandon it. Thank you to all those wonderful reviews and faithful readers. Your support has given me so much encouragement and I appreciate all of you so much. This chapter is sort of another transition but the next will move the relationship forward I swear. Read, Review, and enjoy.

Chapter 8

She thought about it and the answer was no.

No chance of friendship with a man she was so undeniably attracted to. A man who played with her mind and plucked the strings of her heart like a melodic harp, a sweet entrancing song that drew you into his web of mind games. How could she be connected to a man that could so easily swayed her from her main focus. Exploring the life sciences, spending time with her family, and helping others was a fulfilling purpose in life. It's enough she told herself again. Like a mantra replaying; soothing and comforting and most unfortunate of all, unconvincing. Is it truly enough? Dusty books and the spinster life doting upon her future precious nieces and nephews seemed as pathetically trivial in her head as it was out loud being echoed by her mother's droning warnings this moment sipping on the cold tea in their intimate living room waiting for Lord Takahashi to call upon them. His letter had been delivered to the house yesterday by his valet to hopefully be received by not Kagome Higurashi but her younger brother Souta. Her mother had so hoped he would be calling upon the spinster daughter, that her prayers had been answered.

Her mother, bless her soul would never give up that her youngest would blossom into a fine English rose someday. Similar to that uplifting children's novel The Ugly Duckling she had read to her as a little girl. One day Kagome would be a swan. It was hard to break her mother's heart day after day. Disappointing her dreams for so many years had been taxing on her nerves. Now she feared her mother had become so desperate that she would toss her to any beast that inquired; including Mr. Onigumo. Perhaps it was wrong to give her any false hope with Lord Takahashi but if it made her forget about the dreadful Mr. Onigumo for even a moment then she would perpetrate the ruse of amiability. She had been lecturing her since the note to be present and charming. To borrow a minimal amount of powder to hide those unseemly sun spots.

The old grandfather clock in the entry hall of their comfortable home ticked and ticked on grating on her frayed nerves. How long was she to sit here and be a social prop for her family's reputation? Surely he knew she had no desire to politely converse about the weather and who went to university with whom. There were so many other productive details to be done with the formula this afternoon, perhaps she could slip away under some ruse.

After what felt like a lifetime had passed with mother watching the door with hawk's precision a precise knock had echoed through the hall. Souta opened the door and led the most agreeable suitor her mother could ever hope for into their quaint and polished formal sitting room. Exchanging pleasantries with each person before suavely sitting upon the settee looking absolutely indescribable, how hard it was look away from someone so dashing. Surprise had graced his features when he had first entered, a flicker of heat had transpired before returning to the cold airs he presented on behalf of society. What she would do bring that flicker back to his eyes the melding embers of his soul. Pretending not notice his obvious conflict she focused on her dearest little brother practically glowing at Lord Takahashi's praise of languages. Souta always had a gift with foreign tongues, particularly French and German. The gentleman spoke of Lord Takahashi's classes with their grandfather and how much he enjoyed Cambridge. The subject of the Cambridge always sent her mother into frenzy. A very excitable woman when speaking of her only son to leave for university within the year, Lord Takahashi took the opportunity to ease her worries. He sat there politely answering all my mother's questions. We ate those tiny cold tea sandwiches that tasted like some sort of green mush. I was able to finally able to slip away once Souta and Inuyasha went to the stables to go for a short ride around the lake.

Meandering to the small shed containing the lab I decided to work on the honey cream. Souta had read in a book borrowed from Lord Takahashi's library about the increasing amount of benefits of peppermint to one's health. Deciding to begin a new version of the cream she began to clean the bushel she had received at market last evening. Chopping the mint into tiny pieces and placing the remaining amount into a jar. Striking a match and lighting the small fire in the hearth, making sure to open the chimney flap to let the smoke escape. She placed the pot over the fire allowing the heavy cream honey and other natural herbs to simmer. The small saucepan boiled with the formula and she shook the mint leaves into the heated liquid. Letting it simmer for several minutes whilst catching up on some correspondence with Ayame at her desk.

Ayame had sent a letter inviting her over for tea with her dear sister Sango. Excluding her other sister Kikyo from the invitation. It was known that Kikyo had once been the most determined flirt in the village attempting to steal affection Kouga from Ayame while the two had been practically engaged. Her mother and grandfather had thought it best to send her off to teach of her of her own insignificance in Cambridge. Fortunately for Kikyo her resourceful nature had caught herself a well off man named Hojo in town and rarely visited them at their "humble home". Needless to say there was never any love lost between the two women. Sango and Ayame became closer after marriage as married ladies often do. She gratefully accepted the invitation to tea and hopefully stroll the splendor of her gardens in the sun. The last visit to the gardens was memorable. Forever that night will remain a memory of pleasure and the promise of future passions that would never be realized eve in fantasy.

Lost in her thoughts she had not paid any attention to the cream until the pan was almost boiling over. Kagome quickly sprang out of her seat and grabbed the handle of the pot without thinking to grab a pot holder a burning sensation all over hand. The blistering heat from the burn had caught her off guard. She was about to drop the pan when Inuyasha grasped her wrist. He quickly took the handle away from her. His demon blood prevented him from feeling burning sensation felt by the delicate girl. Her eyes welled up with tears instantly. Spying a glass pitcher of water he reacted. She sat down in her small wooden desk chair and he in front of her on a step stool. "It seems you have come to my rescue once again Lord Takahashi" she winced as he poured the cool water onto her aching hand into a bowl on her lap.

"Please call me Inuyasha; it seems you cannot stay out of trouble" he smirked.

"Believe me it's not intentional Lord Takahashi" she badgered.

"It is always a pleasure to see you though Miss Higurashi". His voice was calm and soothing as he spoke to her. Trying to distract her from the pain as he once again poured the cool water over her blistering hand. "I have much enjoyed getting to know your younger brother. He will be a brilliant man someday. Hopefully he takes my advice about the dangers of university".

"Thank you. I do adore his quizzical nature. It is very useful in the lab. I do not look forward to the day he leaves. We are family but also dear friends". He smiled softly as she bit her lip quite defiant against showing him any physical weakness. He much admired her fiery will. Wishing he had some ointment to help her with the pain.

"There are some bandages in the top drawer if you wouldn't mind too terribly" she said.

"Keh" he replied pretending to be annoyed with the task and trying to mask the excitement of the possibility of touching this angel. His fingers danced across the soft sensitive skin of her blistered hand as he wrapped the gauze around her wounded appendage.

"Not too tight" she warned as he pulled the gauze tightly against her flesh feeling the burn flicker with heat. Or maybe the heat was from him. His gentle touch awakened the flickering sparks of passion in her should she had been denying for days.

"I think I know how to dress a small burn Kagome" he sneered automatically. Doesn't she trust me to take care of her? Realizing his thoughts were straying again he frowned slightly. It was dangerous to think of that way anymore. She was no longer the object of his late night fantasies he would visit in pleasured moments with other women, always picturing her face when at the height of passion. She winced again as his claw accidently brushed the wound as he tied the end of the bandage and he offered her a comforting gaze noticing her relax almost instantly at his attention. "Thank you Inuyasha" she whispered breathlessly. His name disappearing from her lips was the sweetest sound he had been blessed with all day.

Kagome knew that despite her unwillingness to accept his offer of friendship she longed to be in his arms again if for just another moment of weakness to relish the feeling of tenderness. How can I be friends with someone I wish could take me to his bed? He kissed the delicate skin on underside of her wrist and a door slammed loudly breaking the trance as Souta barged in the door. The couple jumped away from each other and Inuyasha muttered his excuses to his new colleague before striding past the damaged beauty.

Later the same afternoon Kagome and Sango strolled the beloved town square to pick up some ribbons for their mother and for Sango's anniversary in the next few weeks. It was impossible not to notice the two sisters. So lively and unaware of the public when they bantered and teased each other. Miroku had always spoken about such affection of Sango's family, now he could understand. Though they did not agree upon much they genuinely cared for each other's wellbeing. Inuyasha had not learned much about their family history except from what he had learned from Souta this morning. They had three daughters and one son in the Higurashi clan. The eldest sister was hardly around as she had been married three summers ago at the family home in Cambridge and having no desire to return to the village in favor of the social climbing in the city.

Inuyasha could relate to Souta's worry of the city. When he had first entered university the only woman who had ever cared for him had been his mother. He longed for peace and quiet but knew it was her dying wish that he get a proper education. Though he had other paths in mind he fulfilled the family obligation and was overwhelmed with the females in the area. To be a young impressionable man of a title at a prestigious university brought the trials and tribulations he had not been prepared for. Souta would suffer the piracy and scheming of women due to his lack of title but the dangers of being trapped and marooned into a marriage were as real to any intelligent man. He wondered if perhaps he had run into their eldest daughter on campus. He knew the Professor Higurashi through his mentor Toutosai but rarely outside of the office and usually met with large stack of books to be shelved in the library.

Inuyasha walked around the food vendor's carts in hopes of finding a small meal without much preparation necessary. Shippou had offered his services to Sango for the evening because his beloved wife's pregnancy was giving her trouble and the doctor had ordered her to bed rest for at least a week. He had been invited to join them for supper in exchange for the sudden change in plans but at the moment his stomach was in knots thinking about the youngest Higurashi daughter. He knew she could handle herself and she did not need or want his rescue but he was worried about her with Naraku lurking in the nearby shy. Of course you will tell yourself that. The truth is you want to be near her. Hope she changes her mind. Would that truly be fair to her? Maybe I am being selfish. It would have been better if she remained the anonymous fantasy. Lost in his thoughts he had noticed Sango run off to speak with one of Miroku's customers leaving Kagome privy to Mr. Onigumo crossing the road towards her. Before he could even reach her his sensitive hearing heard her retort in disgust as he poured over her body once again like a lecher in a brothel and he smiled as she stomped on his foot and walked away from him declaring for her to get back because she was embarrassing him. Some men may not understand or appreciate her but at that moment he was never more grateful that they finally met.

There is no force equal to that of a determined woman. When Kagome put her mind to something she tried her best to accomplish her goal despite what others thought of her attitude. It was everything he admired in her and wished to know better. Not now but very soon he had a feeling that the tides would turn in his favor and she would accept his companionship. Then he could stop feeling confused about these instincts that lead him towards romance with her and they could enjoy each other's company. She wouldn't be under his skin anymore. They could coexist together without the pressure of marriage between them and he could treasure their relationship in the presence of others without feeling as though he had to hide his heart.

Author's Note:

I was thinking of making the chapters a little shorter to ensure a more speedy update process. What do y'all think about that? Would love to hear what you all thought of the chapter so please review. Also check out a one shot I posted called Playing Games, I am trying to practice my lemon writing so that when it happens for this story it will be perfect. So any notes would be wonderful!